Russia's foreign trade with CIS countries up
Russia’s foreign trade turnover with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan increased by more than 30 percent each in 2017, according to data from the national customs service. Kazakhstan is Russia’s second largest CIS trading partner behind Belarus. Trade with Turkmenistan, the only Central Asian country not part of the CIS, fell sharply by 52.5 percent. – AzerNews

Andijan-Osh-Irkeshtam-Kashgar transport corridor to start operating on February 25
A road transport corridor linking Tashkent with Kashgar (China) will open on February 25. The 920-kilometer route is forecast to cut delivery times between Uzbekistan and China from 8-10 days to 2 days. During a test run, a convoy of trucks took 31 hours to traverse the route, 3.5 hours of which were spent at customs points. – Tashkent Times

Analysis & Other InformationKyrgyzstan set to build exports of agricultural production
Kyrgyz agricultural producers are looking to take advantage of opportunities opened by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Exports of processed foods and agricultural products to EAEU countries increased dramatically between 2016 and 2017 despite limitations in terms of quality control and packaging. – Kazakh TV

Tajikistan plans to begin supplying surplus electricity to Uzbekistan
Tajikistan is prepared to deliver up to 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours of energy to Uzbekistan, according to a government official quoted in this article. The presidents of the two countries are expected to discuss this issue (among others) at a summit in March. Speculation about the potential revival of the Soviet-era Central Asian power grid has been gaining steam in recent months. The regional power grid disintegrated in 2009 following a harsh winter in which Tajikistan reportedly overdrew its energy allotment. Tajikistan has since developed its own generating capacity to meet its annual needs. – Asia-Plus

Slippers with a soul: Kyrgies blend wool tradition with living-wage jobs for women
A Virginia-based entrepreneur is marketing Kyrgyz wool slippers retailing between $49 and $59 online and in select locations in Canada. Branded “Kyrgies,” the slippers are handmade by a women-run arts collective in Bishkek. One of the founders of Kyrgies gave Kyrgyz wool high marks, though he suggested that wool-cleaning and related industrial infrastructure require additional investment. – WTOP

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